Gabriel Martinelli is set to leave Arsenal and join Saudi side Al-Hilal for a record fee of around £55.7m (€65m). The Brazilian winger has been linked with a move away from North London throughout the summer, with Al-Hilal emerging as suitors in recent days and holding talks with the Gunners to secure a deal.
According to reports, Martinelli is expected to fly to the Middle East in the coming days to undergo a medical and complete the transfer ahead of Tuesday's deadline. If the move goes through as expected, it would see Arsenal bank their highest fee ever for a sale, surpassing the £35m they received from Liverpool for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in 2017.
Arteta addresses Martinelli's future
Asked about Martinelli's future in his pre-match press conference, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said: "That's another personal situation that we're dealing with. I think everybody knows and recognises how much we love Gabi. Whatever the outcome is, it will be because everybody agrees to that."
Martinelli joined Arsenal from Brazilian side Ituano in 2019 and has scored 62 goals in 278 appearances in all competitions. He helped the club win the Premier League last season.
More departures expected
Martinelli is not the only league winner set to leave the club in the coming days. Striker Gabriel Jesus is anticipated to complete a switch to Barcelona. Asked why the forward was not in training, Arteta said: "It's something to do with the numbers that we have in the squad at the moment and the way we're managing that kind of situation individually with all the players - they have some personal situations."
Asked if he had held conversations with either Martinelli or Jesus, Arteta replied: "Yes, for sure. Those conversations go both ways, but I'm very satisfied with how these conversations went because I know what is in each other's hearts, and the words that come through in those conversations make me really happy. But it's inevitable at some point you need to have certain discussions and say certain things that sometimes are tough."
Along with Jesus and Martinelli, Fabio Vieira is also set to depart, with talks over an £8.6m move to Hamburg advancing. Leandro Trossard, Christian Norgaard and Jakub Kiwior have all left North London over recent weeks, while academy graduate Reiss Nelson saw his deal cancelled by mutual consent.
Arsenal have refreshed their side with a number of big-money signings including Bruno Guimaraes, Christos Tzolis, Ezri Konsa and Piero Hincapie.
